Pastor’s Corner: The Forgiveness Factor

The Forgiveness Factor PASTOR’S CORNER

From Bitter to Better by Rich Manganero, Harvest Church Broken Arrow Pastor

There are times in all our lives that we would consider to be bitter experiences. As a pastor, I often hear from people concerning these wounds and how they are still angry and hurt. Maybe they are from our childhood, and we remember how our parents treated us in negative ways, or from a relative, teacher, or friend. Recently, somebody in their 40s shared with me a hurt that was very deep, and how at three years old their parents got divorced. When they were sharing it, it became obvious to both of us that they were still hurt and angry.

Our hurtful experiences can easily make us bitter and resentful if we allow them to. Jesus said in Luke 4:18, “He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,” which I have seen Him do in my own life and countless others. On the other hand, the scriptures say in Hebrews 12:15, “to look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up causing trouble and by this become defiled.” It would be so easy if we could go through life with no bitter experiences, but that is pretty impossible. This verse points out that we can call upon God’s grace to help us, and not fall short when hurts happen. If we allow the roots to stay, then we can affect the very people we love and work with in defiling ways through our attitudes and resentments.

Jesus provided a way of escape for this negative fruit. I call it the forgiveness factor. To paraphrase Luke 17:1-6, Jesus says, “It’s impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come. If your brother offends you seven times in a day, then seven times in that day forgive him.” The disciples responded, “Increase our faith” the Lord replies, “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you can say to the sycamore tree, be plucked up by the roots and be planted in the sea and it will obey you.”

The sycamore tree was the perfect example for Jesus to use. Its roots go very deep, it grows best in dry conditions. Its wood is used for caskets. And it pollinates by the sting of a wasp. My bitterness is very dry and my hurts can go very deep. Unforgiveness and bitterness doesn’t do me or those around me any good. I don’t want my life to be dry, or to be used in any way to sting others through my negative actions, or become a casket filled with dead fruit. A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds and by faith, I can forgive, release, and be free from any bitterness. God’s Grace is there for me. I just have to accept it.

The forgiveness factor is part of the culture of Harvest Church Broken Arrow so that we as the church can walk in God’s Love and give it away.